Weirdos and Wackos (02/05/13)
The nasty, much darker side of the 'Occupy London' movement is on trial at the moment - as one of its leading organisers - Malcolm Blackman - faces allegations of tying up and raping a fellow protester on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral.
And to think that some people - including leading politicians - gave these weirdos and wackos the time of day last year, as if they had something important to teach the rest of the country - other than a licence to party all night in the centre of London.
Now Malcolm Blackman (45) denied all the charges when he appeared at the Old Bailey last week - but has admitted to putting 'notches' on his tent to keep a tally of his sexual conquests during the protest.
So whatever the outcome of the criminal trial it's clear that allowing a motley crew of Anarchists and suchlike - to camp out in tent city was a thoroughly ridiculous idea even though it drew support from some strange and unlikely places.
After weeks of allowing self-appointed 'spokespeople' from Anonymous UK to set up their camp outside St Paul's Cathedral - the authorities finally woke up to the fact that the site had become a magnet for crime.
A woman from South London complained to the Police that she had been raped in her tent by Mr Blackman - a month before the protesters were finally removed by police in riot gear.
I'm pleased to report that it's all now a distant memory, but here's what I had to say in February last year.
And to think that some people - including leading politicians - gave these weirdos and wackos the time of day last year, as if they had something important to teach the rest of the country - other than a licence to party all night in the centre of London.
Now Malcolm Blackman (45) denied all the charges when he appeared at the Old Bailey last week - but has admitted to putting 'notches' on his tent to keep a tally of his sexual conquests during the protest.
So whatever the outcome of the criminal trial it's clear that allowing a motley crew of Anarchists and suchlike - to camp out in tent city was a thoroughly ridiculous idea even though it drew support from some strange and unlikely places.
After weeks of allowing self-appointed 'spokespeople' from Anonymous UK to set up their camp outside St Paul's Cathedral - the authorities finally woke up to the fact that the site had become a magnet for crime.
A woman from South London complained to the Police that she had been raped in her tent by Mr Blackman - a month before the protesters were finally removed by police in riot gear.
I'm pleased to report that it's all now a distant memory, but here's what I had to say in February last year.
